Join the Sexual Assault Response Team! Volunteer Today!!!

Published on 2016 · 01 · 29 by Kara Taylor

We are now recruiting volunteers to be part of theSexual Assault Response Team (SART). SART volunteers work on-call and provide an emergency service to all genders (13+) who have been recently sexually assaulted and offers emotional support as well as information regarding their medical and legal options. Research shows that when a survivor receives compassionate support during the initial response, it has a significant impact on their healing.

In February of 2016, The Victoria Sexual Assault Centre will be opening the Victoria Sexual Assault Clinic. This clinic will be available to recent of survivors of sexual assault to access medical/forensic care, crisis support as well as options for reporting to police if the survivor chooses. SART volunteers will work out of the new clinic as well as the Victoria General Hospital (VGH) emergency room and the police/RCMP stations in some instances.

Training for SART begins March 2, 2016. It is a 3-month training that provides the opportunity to strengthen communication and crisis intervention skills as well as learn more about root causes of sexualized violence and how to support survivors.

Prior experience is not a requirement (although an asset). We are looking for compassionate, collaborative and non-judgmental volunteers who have knowledge of the complexities of gender-based violence and its root causes, are comfortable working with survivors, specialized nurses and police in a hospital, clinic and/or police station setting as well as possess strong critical-thinking and communication skills.

Questions? Or for information or to get a copy of the training schedule and application, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Lindsay at *protected email*.